The first couple of weeks my data from Whoop was kind of odd, but it got much better over time. I assume that their algorithms need to establish some kind of baseline.
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I am working on a more detailed review of my numbers and slid down the rabbit hole in the process. 
It is easy to go overboard so I need to remind myself to focus. Working on it this weekend.
I am starting to feel like they are all wrong. I have not been closely tracking my calories (in or out) the last several months and I think I need to take a closer look. My diet was pretty constant but have gotten a little lazy over the last couple of months. My chocolate intake has increased significantly (not that I have not enjoyed it) and not being on much of a strict training regimen, there has been a small impact.
As for Whoop, the data accuracy improves over time. It takes at least four weeks to learn “you.”
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Ok. Here is the spreadsheet I have been getting lost in Fitness Platform Cal Comparison 2020 posted to Google Drive. Anyone with the link can download the file. No real personal information here.
I added some notes/ observations on one of the tabs. Looking at this I am starting to think that maybe Whoop does over-report calories but I have been so focused on entering data that I have not spent too much time reviewing. I need a break from the numbers.
The pivot chart and table are filtered to only show July activities although there are some August and September. I have not done many Sufferfest cycling activities (mostly yoga and strength) since the weather has been perfect for outdoor riding.
Enjoy and let me know your thoughts.
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Interesting. I am still digesting the information. Longer reply will come soon…
Take your break, @Rick66, you deserve it. That’s a lot of data. Thank you for your work.
Why do you feel like WHOOP is over-reporting your calories? I mean, it pretty consistently under-reports the active calories of a workout compared to the ELEMNT. I have an easy time seeing your underlying BMR, which makes the final number pretty believable, in my opinion. Especially compared to the resting days.
Granted, I can’t validate the impact of your daily life in these numbers.
I can’t believe it, but WHOOP is growing on me. Fast.
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Well, taking another look, it just seemed like such a big gap between certain days activity cals and the day total. July 11 jumped out at me and on closer look, I missed a data set. Whoop split the 3:25 hour, 100k ride into two sessions - I stopped for paczki - so Whoop saw that 15-minute break as a stopping point. I added in those calories and now, Whoop activity calories are 2,333 compared to Element 3070. I will need to review some of the other dates where this may have happened.
Overall, I am very happy with Whoop. I have gotten a lot out of the sleep and recovery analysis. Even on days, like yesterday, where I had a lower recovery number, I was still able to go out strong but knew that it would be a much slower paced day when I got back. It is raining today so a recovery spin on the trainer while watching stage 9 of TDF.
Here is a photo of the paczki. Have a great weekend!
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I have a question: How do I track sleep latency?
I can’t figure it out.
The time I need to fall asleep is interesting to me.
The app says to „select sleep as an activity“ before I go to bed. It’s not possible to select an activity without an end date, and I don’t know my end date beforehand.
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There is a WHOOP Facebook group, which I Think could be usefull for you.
Normally WHOOP selfdetect sleep, so it should not be something you should ad manually. Sometimes when I had been up in the night, its necesarry to adjust wakeup time.
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Don’t like Facebook. This is why we have this thread, isn’t it?
WHOOP self detects, sure. But it can’t detect sleep latency. It even explains in the app to somehow start the process manually. Please look an my first screenshot.
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I’ve been using WHOOP for over two years and I’m quite happy with it.
I had some initial problems with erratic readings, but they were due to poor contact between my narrow wrist and the sensors. That was all fixed by moving the strap up on my forearm near my elbow. Their latest model has an improved fabric strap which has also helped. I occasionally compared it with a Polar HR10 and a Polar OH1 and the readings were consistent.
Their calculation for strain is based on extended time at elevated heart rates, so strength training rarely show much strain.
I’ve found the best benefit has been regarding my sleep. First, taking it seriously. They have a weekly podcast - the Locker - as well as a host of articles. Also the Facebook group. I’ve gleaned a few good nuggets there. Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, Younger Next Year by Chris Crowley for instance. Manta Sleep Mask.
For me, meat, alcohol, eating near bed-time, coffee and work-related stress all show up as negative co-factors for sleep performance and recovery. For a consumer-level wearable, their sleep measurements are quite good.
My one disconnect is their recommendation to adjust daily strain based on your recovery score. For me, my workout schedule and intensity is mostly based on my available time within my daily/weekly schedule. But their advice would be fine in a perfect world.
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WHOOP self detects, sure. But it can’t detect sleep latency. It even explains in the app to somehow start the process manually. Please look an my first screenshot.
Weird. I could swear that I manually started a nap but I can’t figure it out anymore. Maybe a change to the user interface?
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@Pierre I have not investigated sleep latency yet but will look into it.
I have a pretty regular routine of going to bed to read at 9 pm every night. I read until I drop the book - usually 15-30 minutes- and I am out until about 1:30. Then all the water I drink kicks in… getting back to sleep can be challenging.
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Could be a UI change, nice thought. I guess I will write a message to the support.
The more I think of it, I am actually basing a lot of hope into the WHOOP System now. Monitoring and improving sleep could help with a couple of my lifestyle problems (one big one is in this thread).
The pressure is not all on WHOOP, though. Like @traceyz suggests, I will think about my environment, habits and general sleeping arrangements and put a bit more focus on quality recovery. The armband is a nice reminder of this goal.
Best tip so far: A sleep mask. I think I will get one.
@Rick66: I like this routine, sounds solid. For the foreseeable future, I sadly can’t match this consistency (small child, shift work, house construction…).
Did you „train yourself“ to keep this schedule and did you notice a big improvement from before, or does this kind of consistency come natural to you?
Looking at your spreadsheet I see many recovery days with 80%+ but also a few sub 40%.
Are they all on the same schedule or did your time in bed vary?
In general, on any given day do you feel in accordance with the number in question?
Sorry if this reply is all over the place. I am pretty tired and can’t hold a thought for long. 
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goto strain coach and select sleep and turn off when you wake up 
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a few things I noticed that helped sleep and increase HRV,
- not eating for about 3 hours before going to bed
- light stretching before bed
- glycine sublingual before bed
- meditation
- no phone
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Yay. That’s it. 
Simple, but you need to know where to look. Thank you, Sir.
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@Pierre Hearing your situation is a bit of a flashback for me. Twenty years ago, my daughter was one, we were putting an addition on our house - and at one point, all three of us squeezed into one small bedroom with no kitchen. My work hours have always been pretty consistent which has been the one plus. So, I know chaos. Plus, we added two more to the mix (and a dog) for good measure.
I have always been an early riser; between 4:30 and 5:00 which helped get my work outs in before the rest of the household woke up. The going to bed early came on more gradually over time. The kids needed us less in the evening which really helps and then deciding I needed more sleep and the only way to get it was earlier to bed. The reading beforehand is critical. If we watch a movie in the evening and I don’t read, my brain just will not turn off.
The biggest challenge was “training” the family to accept that “Dad goes to bed early; earlier than the kids now.” It is a bit of a good natured joke. Again, the consistency is easier now as the kids are older and do not need us as much. No major house projects either.
As for the data, the time in bed did not vary much but the quality of the sleep did. That was still during some of the work stress where I would wake up at 1:30 and not be able to go back to sleep. Sometimes, I would go to another room, listen to a story or read for a bit to un-wind. That stress generally gone, it has gotten better.
I generally do feel in accordance with the number. Yesterday, I was 69% recovered and I kind of knew it before I saw it. It was a good strong day on the bike too. On the days below 50%, my legs are heavy.
No need to apologize for the reply. I am quite non-linear myself at times. Rest well!
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Thany you, @emily, for sharing your experience with the oura ring.
I am in my 30-day trial period of whoop and while I want to love it, I am a bit afraid of the running cost over time. This is one of the points you mentioned, too.
A while ago I would have said I could never wear a watch or a ring, but actually wearing a watch and now giving it up made me miss it. Funny world. Now I am wondering if I could get used to a ring, too.
How do you feel about the overall thickness of the ring? I read that it’s a bit clunkier than a normal metal ring. Does it ever feel like it’s in the way?
Like I mentioned when talking about whoop, I am interested in the calorie count of the device. How well does it measure daily life and general activites?
Do you have any experience connecting and importing other activities from Strava, for example?
As I understand, the main difference to whoop is that oura can’t track my heart rate during the day or during activites.
@Rick66: Maybe we could change the topic to “Whoop/Oura/HRV Devices anyone?” to include a wider variety of things. What do you think?
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@Pierre Great idea! I expanded the topic based on your suggestion.
I used to wear a watch and ring all the time. To the point I felt naked without the watch. Once we went to full time work from home, I stopped wearing my watch and ring got used to it. Now with the Whoop, I am getting used to wearing it, but I keep looking at it expecting to see the time. 
I only wear my ring when I go to the office.
@PeterEire thanks for the Strain Coach for sleep pointer. I have started using that rather than relying on autodetect. I also use the strain coach in real-time when doing a Sufferfest session to see that I hit my optimal strain for the day. As I migrate back indoors, I will do this more. It also helps record the session quicker. For whatever reason, Whoop is slow to pick up on trainer sessions.
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I have to comeback in my decision against whoop, lately I’ve been struggling with recovery so I decided to give it a try I signed up for a 6 months trial, let’s see how it goes!
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Good luck! I have been doing a little better with my recovery. I don’t have a training plan at the moment so I have been using the strain coach to guide my daily work out efforts. I have been following pretty closely this week and even with building some higher levels of strain I am recovering quite well.
It is a drag to wake up on a Tuesday, 94% recovered with a strain recommendation of 19 and knowing I need to go to work. That has yet to happen on the weekend.
Let us know how it goes.
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